NEISD middle school students get flu vaccines with City of San Antonio officials

Metro Health teamed up with North East Independent School District and Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care to provide flu vaccines to students at Harris Middle School on Oct. 1, the first Texas “Influenza Awareness Day.” The flu is considered the most serious of upper respiratory infections that can be deadly.

Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care representatives say that immunizing students is the first line of defense. Schools tend to be places where flu spreads because students are so close together. Little Spurs led the way locally for school-based influenza clinics. During the clinic at Harris, 65 students received their flu vaccine, 40 of which took the mist presentation and 25 braved the traditional injection.

Each year, as many as one in five Texans get sick from the flu. About 200,000 people in Texas are hospitalized each year as a result, some with complications such as pneumonia, and thousands more die. While the CDC recommends everyone age 6 months and older get a flu vaccine, certain higher-risk people get vaccinated, such as elderly people, young children, and pregnant women are at greater risk for serious complications, as well as people with chronic health conditions, asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.

The City of San Antonio’s Metropolitan Health Department recommends all adults and children older than 6 months see their primary care physician to get immunized against influenza. Flu vaccines are 70 to 90 percent effective. It is equally important to cover your cough or sneeze, and wash your hands. Metro health encourages the public to see their provider or local pharmacy to get the flu shot. For those who do not have a provider, flu vaccinations are available weekdays at Metro Health clinics. Appointments can be scheduled at (210) 207-8894. Remember, getting immunized is the best way to prevent the flu and its spread to others.

Related Links

Disclaimer

The DotGov newsletter is produced by the City of San Antonio’s Communications and Public Affairs Department. Content presented in DotGov is accurate at the time of publication and may not reflect changes made after publication. Archived articles are available two years after the original publication date.